🎭 Alumni Update – Mike Liu From Verdi to Bizet to Bach Musica – it’s been a big year for tenor Mike Liu. So far in 2025 he’s sung in the choruses of La Bohème and La Traviata, made his small-role debut as Giuseppe for APO’s La Traviata, performed at a few of our Hilton Fridays, and taken the stage with Bach Musica and Opera Factory. Next up? The Monster in the Maze – his third opera of the year. We’ll miss having Mike with us in 2026, but it’s a joy to watch him thrive and keep making music across Aotearoa. 💛 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

A big bravo to soprano Alexandra Francis, who completed her Master of Performance at the prestigious @rcmlondon. Studying at a world-class conservatoire like the Royal College of Music offers not only exceptional training, but also a chance to immerse in an international community of musicians, explore new repertoire, and work alongside some of the industry’s most inspiring mentors. We’re proud to see our NZOS whānau continuing their journeys abroad — bringing their skills, artistry, and Aotearoa spirit to the global stage. 🌏🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

✨ Brindisi: Toast to Our Rising Stars! ✨ Tonight, in the beautiful setting of the Northern Club, our annual Freemasons event celebrates the brilliance of young opera voices with an unforgettable programme themed around one of opera’s greatest traditions: the toast! 🥂 Guests will be treated to an evening of Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Charpentier, and more — all culminating in the effervescent Libiamo ne’ lieti calici from La Traviata. Our rising stars for the evening: Emma Jones – soprano Olivia Forbes – soprano Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono – tenor Edward Smith – bass-baritone At the piano, the incomparable Somi Kim, internationally acclaimed pianist and long-time NZOS collaborator. And guiding us through the evening with wit and warmth: Jack Bourke, NZOS Digital Director, Tenor and crowd favourite! Here’s to music, to community, and to the rising stars who light the way forward for opera in Aotearoa. 🌟 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Aotearoa #Freemasons

✨ Tonight, one of our most cherished traditions returns: the annual Northern Club dinner in Auckland supported by the Freemasons Foundation. This sold-out evening is always a highlight — elegant surroundings, an enthusiastic audience, and of course, the generous support of the Freemasons Foundation, our Principal Sponsor, who make so much of what we do possible. Here’s a little glimpse of tonight’s setting before the music begins… 🎶 #NZOS #FreemasonsFoundation #NorthernClub #OperaEvening

We're so grateful to you all for supporting the 2026 NZ Opera School Rose Fundraiser in partnership with Matthews Nurseries Ltd Nearly 250 roses have been planted in gardens around New Zealand and we can't wait to see them bloom! With only 50 roses left to buy, head to Trafalgar Square shopping centre in Whanganui on Saturday to grab yours! Cash or online transfer on the day. It really is a stunning plant that will perform all year round in your garden with full scented blooms! If you can't make it to Whanganui this weekend don't worry - you can still order online and have it delivered to your door or arrange another pick up day. Head to our website: https://operaschool.org.nz/support/buy-the-nz-opera-school-rose/

Curious where NZOS alumni are now? You can filter by year, voice type, and career path on our People – Alumni page. It’s great to see how far our singers have come—and to witness the breadth of opera careers today. 🔗 Explore: NZOS Alumni Directory https://operaschool.org.nz/people/alumni/ #OperaCareers #NZOperaSchool #Community #OperaTraining #NZOS

And the WINNER of the NZOS Limited Edition Rose is…….Zeta Pringle!!! Congratulations, Zeta! Debbie will be in touch so you can take your beautiful rose 🏠 home! 🌹 Thank you all for participating! More giveaways to come 🫶💖 #nzos #nzosrose

From Aotearoa to Los Angeles! We’re thrilled to celebrate mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, who’s just announced she’ll be joining LA Opera as a Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist for the 2025/26 season. This season she’ll step into the roles of Maketaten in Akhnaten and the Second Lady in The Magic Flute ✨ Katie, we couldn’t be prouder – your NZOS whānau will be cheering you on from across the Pacific! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

Our extraordinary alumnus Pene Pati continues to captivate audiences around the globe — and next, he’ll make his debut at Italy’s legendary Arena di Verona in Rigoletto. 🇮🇹 ✨Known for his golden voice, charisma, and artistry, Pene is not only representing New Zealand and Samoa on the world stages, but also showing the next generation of singers just how far passion and dedication can take you. 📅 Rigoletto – Arena di Verona Opera Festival Details here 👉 www.arena.it Malo lava, Pene — we’ll be cheering you on from home! 🙌 #PenePati #NZOSAlumni #NZOS #ArenaDiVerona #Rigoletto #SamoanTenor

Get ready for a glorious Friday night at the Hilton — where the harbour views are sparkling, the champagne is flowing, and the music is even more dazzling. This week we’re treated to the stunning voices of Alanah Jones and Jack Doyle, with none other than Claire Caldwell at the piano — our resident magician who makes every note shimmer. ✨ 📅 TODAY! 🕡 6:30–7:30pm 📍 Bellini Bar, Hilton Auckland 💸 Free entry – just bring your love for music Come wind down the week with us! #OperaXChampagne #NZOS #LiveOpera #HiltonAuckland #NZOperaSchool

Ever wondered why NZ Opera School is based in Whanganui? From historic chapels to stunning river views and a supportive town, it’s a place that nurtures creativity and focus. We wrote all about it recently—take a virtual stroll through our home away from home. 🔗 Learn more: https://operaschool.org.nz/about/our-home/ #NZOS #OperaTraining #Whanganui #NZOperaSchool #NZOpera

Alumna Cadence Chung just wrapped Love Letterz, a vibrant show she curated for Kia Mau Festival—including her own composed song cycle. She’s also back in opera chorus for Bohème, Un Ballo in Maschera and debuting a lead in L’Enfant et les sortilèges. This is exactly what creativity looks like post‑NZOS: self‑made, collaborative, and boldly exploring new narratives. We’re loving the journey, Cadence! 💙 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni